US issues global alert over al-Qaeda 'threat'

The United States has issued a global travel alert to warn its citizens of potential "terrorist attacks", particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, a day after it said 21 embassies and consulates would close on Sunday over security fears.

Britain announced on Friday that it would close its embassy in Yemen for two days - Sunday and Monday. Several embassy staff have been withdrawn from the capital, Sanaa, the foreign office in London said.